Posted on: August 26, 2025, 10:59h.
Last updated on: August 26, 2025, 11:36h.
The Palms is shutting down not just one, but four dining establishments operated by three distinguished chefs.
Mabel’s Bar & Q, which launched in 2018 by James Beard Award winner and “Iron Chef” champion Michael Symon as “Mabel’s BBQ,” will hold its final service on September 12.
This restaurant boasts one of the largest barbecue ovens in Las Vegas, capable of smoking numerous briskets and pork shoulders at once.
The upscale Italian venue Vetri Cucina is also set to close. Famous for its stunning views from the 56th floor, this dining spot opened in 2018 by another James Beard recipient, Marc Vetri, serving as the Las Vegas branch of his renowned Philadelphia restaurant. This location was previously home to chef André Rochat’s Alizé.
A specific closing date for Vetri Cucina has not yet been disclosed.
The recent announcement regarding two additional restaurant closures at The Palms suggests that these events are unlikely to be mere coincidence.
Chef Luke Palladino is shutting down both his Rojo Lounge and Laguna Pool House & Kitchen at Palms Place, the adjacent condo-hotel, after October 12. The Rojo Lounge has been a fixture since at least 2016, while the Laguna Pool House opened just two years ago, replacing the late Kerry Simon’s Simon Restaurant & Lounge.
All three chefs offered vague statements to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, implying the closures were mutually agreed upon with The Palms, without providing further details.
As noted by our colleague Scott Roeben of Vital Vegas, restaurant closures in Las Vegas generally stem from either financial struggles or scandals, and it appears these chefs are clean in that regard.
Our speculation is that having an off-Strip casino during a slow period for Las Vegas tourism isn’t beneficial for high-end dining traffic. There’s no word yet on what will occupy the opened spaces.
A Cote Above
Scheduled to debut at The Venetian on October 4 is the first Las Vegas location of an acclaimed Korean steakhouse.
Known for its tableside showcasing of wagyu beef and a rotating selection of banchan sides, Cote Vegas aims to replicate the acclaimed experience of chef Simon Kim, who was awarded a Michelin star in New York. This establishment, which has already launched in Miami and Singapore, also marks a return for Kim, who began his culinary journey managing Shibuya at the MGM Grand.
Cote NYC earned a place on last year’s prestigious “The World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants” list curated by Upper Cut Media House.
Sandwiches to Yelp About
Two Las Vegas eateries were included in Yelp’s inaugural Top 100 ranking of US sandwich shops. The Leatherneck Club secured the 25th position, while The Bronze Café claimed the 57th spot. The former is a Marine Corps bar and pub located in Chinatown, while the latter focuses on vegan cuisine in Northwest Las Vegas.
Dining Updates
Branden Powers, the innovative founder and designer of the Golden Tiki, has returned to create Pachi-Pachi, a new Japanese-inspired restaurant and cocktail lounge opened last weekend by developer J Dapper and restaurateur Mark Evensvold.
Hooters has permanently closed its location at OYO, falling victim to its parent company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this year.
Nom Wah, the renowned dim sum restaurant, will open its doors on September 13 at JW Marriott and Rampart Casino Las Vegas.
Two dining establishments in Las Vegas have undergone name changes. Diner Ross, adjacent to “DiscoShow,” the dance experience at the Linq, is now Diner Ross Steakhouse. Meanwhile, Nona’s, a sandwich spot at Fontainebleau, has rebranded as Nona’s Lobster Shack. There’s no indication as to why these changes occurred, although rebranding usually signals a need for improvement.
Clique Bar & Lounge at the Cosmopolitan is set to reopen on Friday, August 29, after being closed for renovations since April, according to Vital Vegas.
Health Concerns
Jipata, located at 3460 Arville St. Suite 7, was temporarily shut down by the Southern Nevada Health District on August 14. The Thai-inspired gastropub accumulated 36 demerits due to issues such as spoiled food, improper cooling and food protection measures, insufficient cleaning of equipment, inadequate handwashing facilities, and ineffective pest control protocols.